Softball Pitching - What Factors Affect Ball Movement?

This is a guest post by Rick Pauly, Pitching Coach, University of South Carolina

Rick Pauly, Pitching Coach, University of South Carolina

Marc's Note: A common belief in softball is that ball movement is mainly influenced by 2 factors: a) spin rate and b) ball speed. However, in this guest post, pitching coach Rick Pauly put things in perspective and shed some light on what he believes are the most important factors affecting ball movement.

The #1 criteria affecting ball movement is "Release Angle".  The #2 criteria is "Release Point".  Both of these criteria are tied directly to GRAVITY. Unfortunately, most pitching instructors or pitchers don't  understand that you need to understand the effect gravity has on ball movement.

Below I have listed in order the criteria that create ball movement - note how far down the list spin rate is. Also, #1 and #2 are significantly more important than the others.

Factors Affecting Ball Movement (in order of importance)

1. Release Angle - good release angle is displayed on a dropball that finishes at the bottom of the strike zone. Every fraction of an inch above the bottom of the strike zone will result in less downward movement.

2. Release Point - this relates to how high the ball is when released. The higher the release point the less upward release angle required for a dropball - thus gravity has more effect on the ball. The best way to get a good release point is to ensure the body(spine) is near vertical at release - this will raise the hand. I don't suggest shoulder shrugging or other body contortion to raise the hand.

3. Spin Direction - ball should spin in the direction you want it to move.

4. Seam Orientation - four seams cutting into the airstream vs. two seams will create more pressure differential on the ball.

5. Spin Rate - how fast is the ball spinning. Faster spin creates more pressure differential

6. Speed - less speed gives gravity more time to affect ball movement; more speed=less time for gravity to affect ball movement. Slow pitches break more but it is a more "rounded break" and is typically easier to read and hit. I often struggle with where speed should be ranked—it could as easily be ranked #1 because it is so closely related to gravity.

This is a very short description of each factor. Several years of using the Rev Fire and other tools have helped me come to these conclusions.